Detection of Virulence Genes in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) : Comparison with Clinical Characteristics / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: We identified virulence genes in uropathogenic E. coli isolates and studied the association between virulence gene and clinical characteristics in order to predict the severity and recurrency. METHODS: 39 Escherichia coli strains from patients with urinary tract infection were clinically and genotypically characterized. The strains were examined genotypically by using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction for presence of 5 urovirulence genes : pyelonephritis-associated pili(pap), S. fimbriae(sfa), afimbrial adhesin(afa), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf), and alpha-hemolysin(hly). The patient's clinical characteristics were determined retrospectively. RESULTS: 17 pap(+), 4 sfa(+), 7 afa(+), 6 cnf(+), and 8 hly(+) strains were identified. And there were 10 genotypes. Among them, genotype pap(+)sfa(-)afa(-)cnf(-) hly(-) was most dominant(36%). But no urovirulence gene was detected in 12 strains(31%). When the data was analyzed, it was apparent that an association among various urovirulence genes exists. sfa gene was frequently associated with cnf gene(p < 0.001). And afa gene was associated cnf and hly gene(p= 0.026, <0.001). An association between cnf gene and hly gene was observed(p=0.002). Positive rates of virulence genes were not different between male and female. In infancy, pap(-)sfa(-)afa(+)cnf(+)hly(+) genotype was dominant. In 2-15 years old age group, pap(-) sfa(-)afa(-)cnf(-)hly(-) genotype was dominant. And in 16- 40 years old age group, pap(+)sfa(-)afa(-)cnf(-)hly(-) was dominant. So, some virulence genotype might be associated with specific age group. Presence of virulence gene or specific genotype was not different among diseases(acute pyelonephritis, cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria). So, virulence genes were not associated with severity of urinary tract infection. Virulence genes were not associated with susceptibility of recurrent infection. In neurogenic bladder patients, there were significantly more sfa(+) strains (p=0.019). And all isolates of neurogenic bladder patients were genotype pap(+)sfa(+)afa(-)cnf(+)hly(-)(p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, We found which genotype is most dominant in uropathogenic Escherichia coli, and that virulence genes do not suggest severity or recurrency of urinary tract infection. In neurogenic bladder patients, some virulence genes were more prevalent.

Comparison of Acute Clinical Features and Coronary Involvement in Patients with Kawasaki Disease between Those Younger and Older than One Year of Age

PURPOSE: To identify the necessity of more reasonable diagnostic criteria and the possibility of early prediction of coronary involvement in the higher risk group, we investigated and compared clinical and laboratory findings in the acute phase and coronary involvements in those younger (n=17) and older(n=53) than one year of age in Kawasaki disease(KD). METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews were performed on 70 patients with KD who were admitted to the Chung-Ang University Hospital from April 1997 to May 2001. RESULTS: Male were significantly higher in the younger age group(M : F ratio 3.3 : 1 vs. 1.0 : 1, P=0.004). Fever durations before intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and echocardiography were significantly shorter in the younger group(4.6+/-1.3 vs. 6.2+/-2.5, P=0.004 vs. 0.01, respectively). Cases meeting typical diagnostic criteria were significantly less in the younger group(P=0.006). In the laboratory findings, serum albumin, BUN and K+ levels in the acute febrile phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.002, 0.006, <0.001, respectively) and incidences of coronary artery dilatation in the acute phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Although less met the typical diagnostic criteria of KD, infants younger than one year of age are more susceptible to coronary artery change in the acute febrile phase. Therefore, KD should be entertained as a diagnostic possibility in young infants with prolonged fever without distinct fever focus, and echocardiography should be considered as part of the evaluation of these patients, and then early diagnosis and prompt IVIG should be conducted.

The Significance of Hyperlipidemia as a Predictive Factor of Relapse in Corticosensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

PURPOSE: One of the most difficult problems in the care of children with nephrotic syndrome remains the occurrence of relapses, despite initial response to steroids. Constantinescu reported that rapidity of initial response to steroid therapy could predict fewer relapses in the first year. So we evaluated the changes in serum lipid abnormalities in children with corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome before steroid treatment and the correlation between serum lipid levels and renal function, days to remission. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of children who were managed by us between October 1994 and August 2000. In 33 patients with corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome, we evaluated the correlation between serum lipid levels and renal function [Creatinine clearance(Ccr)] and proteinuria before steroid treatment, and days to remission defined as the third day when the patient`s urine becomes protein free. RESULTS: There were 21 males and 12 females. Median age at presentation was 6.4 years (range: 1.8-17.3 years). Median days to remission were 15.4 days (range 4-42 days) on Prednisolone 60mg/m2 daily. The increased levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, Lipoprotein(a) were observed. But the level of HDL cholesterol was not increased. Serum albumin was decreased and proteinuria was increased before steroid treatment. But Ccr was not decreased. There were negative correlation between serum albumin and total cholesterol (r = -0.5157, P<0.005), LDL cholesterol (r = -0.5543, P<0.005), total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (r = -0.4506, P<0.01), lipoprotein(a) (r = -0.4570, P<0.025), apolipoprotein B (r = -0.5297, P<0.025), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 (r = -0.5851, P<0.01), apolipoprotein B/HDL cholesterol (r = -0.4961, P<0.05) before steroid treatment. There was no correlation between proteinuria and serum lipid profiles. Also Ccr and serum lipid profiles were not correlated. There was positive correlation between days to remission and HDL cholesterol (r = +0.4511, P<0.05), apolipoprotein B (r = +0.5190, P<0.05), apolipoprotein B/HDL cholesterol (r = +0.7169, P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This results reveal that HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein B/HDL cholesterol can be used as a predictive factor in corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome. We could not determine the significant level of these lipids for insufficient patients number, but these level may predict future relapses of corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome patients and thus may allow to better management and treatment protocols. More data and long term follow up studies should be needed.

A Case of Koebner Variant of Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), characterized by a cleavage plane through basal keratinocytes, is caused by a mutation of the genes encoding keratin 5 and 14. It is often regarded as the least severe form of Epidermolysis bullosa. In 1886, Koebner described the seasonal blisterings predominantly on the palms and soles but occurring on the other sites of friction with clothes as well. His name is often used to describe EBS with the generalized blisterings. We have experienced a case of Koebner variant of EBS in a two-day old male neonate whose father had the same EBS. Hereby, we report his clinical, histopathological findings with a brief review of the literature.